Community Services Division
Holiday Shopping

- STAY ALERT AND BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND YOU.

-GO SHOPPING WITH A FRIEND, OR LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN YOU WILL RETURN.

-KEEP YOUR CAR IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION. MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH GAS TO GET WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND BACK.

- PARK IN A WELL-LIGHTED SPACE, AND BE SURE TO LOCK YOUR CAR, AND HIDE YOUR SHOPPING BAGS AND GIFTS IN THE TRUNK OR COVER THEM.

-WHEN RETURNING TO YOUR CAR DON'T OVERBURDEN YOURSELF WITH PACKAGES AND HAVE YOUR KEYS READY TO OPEN YOUR CAR.

- AVOID CARRYING A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH; PAY WITH CHECKS AND CREDIT CARDS WHEN YOU CAN.

-KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD MAKE SURE ONLY ONE SLIP IS PRINTED UP, AND TEAR UP THE CARBONS AFTER USING YOUR CREDIT CARD.

- DETER PICKPOCKETS, PUT YOUR WALLET IN YOUR FRONT POCKET.

- WOMEN SHOULD CARRY THEIR PURSES IN FRONT OF THEM AND MAKE SURE THEIR PURSE IS CLOSED.

-WHEN YOU SHOP WITH YOUR CHILDREN, TEACH THEM TO GO TO A STORE CLERK OR SECURITY GUARD IF YOU GET SEPARATED.

-TRY TO USE AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES IN THE DAYTIME. HAVE YOUR CARD IN HAND AND DON'T APPROACH THE MACHINE IF YOU ARE UNEASY ABOUT PEOPLE NEARBY.